Melbourne Vixens
The rapid rise of a Maverick defender with a Baby Bomber for a dad
Jessie Grenvold carries the name and the wisdom of her dad, 1993 Essendon premiership player David Grenvold. But she is forging her own reputation as one of Australian netball’s rising stars.
- Roy Ward
Latest
Inside Netball Australia’s remarkable baby boom and what it takes to get back on court
The Super Netball league is having a baby boom, with multiple players returning to court after giving birth. But how does motherhood shape athletes and what does it take to play again?
- Hannah Kennelly
‘The greatest night ever’: Why Rudi Ellis almost ranked a premiership over her wedding
As the Vixens prepare to go back-to-back, star defender Rudi Ellis sits down to watch the 2025 grand final for the first time —and admits it might just tie with her wedding to Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English as the best day of her life.
- Roy Ward
Two years ago, Netball Australia was in trouble. Now they want to expand Super Netball
Netball Australia is taking the first step towards expanding Super Netball just two years after the game fell millions of dollars into debt and was facing industrial action from its players.
- Roy Ward and Hannah Kennelly
‘Genuine hurt’: Anger as netball grand final performer’s domestic violence history emerges
Professional netball’s players’ body says booking a performer who had pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges to appear at the Super Netball grand final in Melbourne had caused “genuine hurt”.
- Scott Spits
From finals longshots to champions: Why Vixens’ win was a triumph for Australian netball
Written off after a sluggish start to the season, the Vixens won a pulsating grand final, described by Liz Ellis as one of the great moments in Australian netball.
- Scott Spits
Soft drinks and State of Origin: The trip to the pub that helped the Vixens to grand final glory
Melbourne’s season was on the brink when coach Simone McKinnis suggested her team should “go to the pub” for a bonding session. Her final game in charge was a premiership win.
- Hannah Kennelly
Vixens complete the fairytale finish for their departing coach, winning by a single goal
The Vixens achieved the unthinkable and won the Super Netball competition from fourth on the ladder.
- Hannah Kennelly
‘Bring it in quickly’: The story behind the speech that inspired one of Australian netball’s greatest comebacks
Simone McKinnis stunned the netball world in May by announcing that she would resign at the end of the season. Her players adore her. Here’s how she conjured an unbelievable revival.
- Hannah Kennelly
As netball moves beyond dark days, Vixens head to enemy territory in grand final quest
The Melbourne Vixens and Adelaide Thunderbirds will face off in the Super Netball grand final on Saturday, capping a record-breaking season – and sparking hopes for further club expansion.
- Jon Pierik